Paraffin wax for hands and feet: what to know

How a paraffin treatment works

Paraffin is a soft wax that melts at a fairly low temperature. In a typical treatment, clean skin gets dipped or brushed with warm wax several times until a thick coat builds up, then it is wrapped in plastic and a towel or mitt to hold the heat. After several minutes, the coat peels away in one soft shell. A hot towel cools within a minute or so, while wax holds its warmth much longer, and that is the main difference you will notice.

The draw is the sensation: deep, even warmth and skin that feels soft right afterward. That softness is temporary and usually fades within a day or two, so treat paraffin as a comfort add-on and keep up with your usual cream at home.

What is on the menu, exactly

Our menu does not list a paraffin manicure. Paraffin Hot Wax appears only on the pedicure list, as an add-on that goes with another service, so booking it means booking a pedicure.

For your hands, the closest things on the manicure menu are these, and paraffin is not part of any of them:

• The Collagen Mani, $39 and up for about 30 minutes
• The Collagen add-on, $15 and up for about 5 minutes
• The Deluxe Manicure, $45 and up for about 40 minutes
• The Emerald Escape Manicure, $55 and up for about 50 minutes

Adding it to a pedicure

Heels and soles take the warmth well, which makes this an easy add-on on a day your feet feel tired. A Deluxe Pedicure is $49 for about 40 minutes, a Jelly Spa Pedicure is $90 for about 70 minutes, and the wax adds its 15 minutes to whichever you choose.

Order matters. Wax leaves a light film on the skin, so it generally goes on before polish, and a scrub or callus work usually comes before the wax. On our pedicure add-on list, Sugar Scrubs and Callus Removal are $10 each and Gel Polish is $15, each about 15 minutes. If your skin feels tender after callus work, tell your tech and leave the wax for next time.

Choosing only one? A scrub works on the surface of the skin and wax is mostly about warmth, so decide whether you would rather feel smooth or cozy.

Who should ask a doctor first

Anything warm on the skin calls for a little caution. If you have diabetes, poor circulation or numbness in your feet, ask your doctor or podiatrist before trying paraffin, since reduced feeling makes it harder to notice too much heat. Skip it altogether if there are open cuts, a rash, an infection or a sunburn on the area. If you are pregnant and your feet or ankles are swollen, check with your doctor before adding heat.

Stiff joints are another reason some people get curious about warm wax. If that is your reason, your doctor can tell you whether it makes sense for you.

Trying paraffin on your hands at home

Home paraffin baths are sold for hands and feet, and they follow the same dip-and-wrap steps. Wash and dry your skin first, read the directions that come with the unit, and let the melted wax settle until it is comfortably warm. Test a small drop on your inner wrist before you dip.

Never melt paraffin on a stove or in a microwave, since it can overheat quickly. Use only a warmer made for it, keep it away from children and pets, and stay off skin with any cuts or irritation. Throw away the layer you peel off rather than melting it down again, and finish with your usual hand cream.

Questions guests ask

How much is paraffin wax at Element?

It is $15 on top of your pedicure and adds about 15 minutes. Pedicures on the menu start at $35 for the Classic, so you can keep the whole visit short if you need to.

Will paraffin ruin fresh polish?

Wet regular polish and warm wax do not mix well, which is why the wax normally goes on first. Your tech will sort out the order for you, so mention every add-on you want at the start.

Does paraffin wax hurt?

It should feel warm and comfortable, with a slight tightness as the wax sets. Tell your tech right away if it feels too hot or if your skin stings, so the wax can come off.